Gujjars in Rajasthan have been demanding reservation within the 21 per cent quota for the Other Backward Castes (OBCs).

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Dev Ankur Wadhawan

Jaipur

May 13, 2018

UPDATED: May 13, 2018 23:53 IST

Gujjar agitations have taken a violent turn in the past. More than 70 people had died in the past in police firing. (Image for representation)

HIGHLIGHTS

Gujjars to hold mahapanchayat demanding reservation

They will meet prominent leaders of state government

Gujjar protests in the past have led to violence

Ahead of its plans to hold mahapanchayat in Rajasthan's Bharatpur in support of reservation demand, a delegation of Gujjar leaders have been invited for talks by Vasundhara Raje-led government for talks on Monday.

Protesting Gujjars had threatened widespread agitation in Bharatpur to push for their long standing demand for reservation.

Bharatpur District Collector Sandesh Nayak, Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Tak met Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, after which it was decided that a delegation of Gujjar leaders led by Bainsla will head to Jaipur for talks.

Talks between Gujjar leader and group of ministers will be held at the state secretariat.

Nayak said, "Gujjar leaders will hold talks with the group of ministers. A notification letter has been sent to their leader, Bainsla."

"If the government does not fulfil our demand, the Gujjar community will start agitation from the declared date of May 15," Bainsla, mentioned.

Gujjars in Rajasthan have been demanding reservation within the 21 per cent quota for the Other Backward Castes (OBCs).

"We want categorisation of OBC. It has been our demand since a long time but these governments have been making us go around in circles. Our demand is of 5 per cent reservation within the 21 per cent quota for OBC. We want reservation on the basis of categories formed for nomadic and semi-nomadic groups.", Gujjar leader, Himmat Singh Gujjar told India Today.

Gujjar agitation has a violent past. More than 70 people had died in police firing that took place during the previous regime of Vasundhara Raje.